My Personal Development Plan Portfolio - Coursework Example

MY PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDP) PORTFOLIO Introduction Herein is my personal development plan (PDP) that outlines an appraisal of my current learning skills and their significance currently and in the future. According to David Allen of the west of England University (2002), he defines PDP as a structured or laid down and supported process embarked by individuals to reflect upon their learning accomplishments. Such is necessary for an individual to plan for educational and career development (Allen, 2002). In line relation to my university study, PDP for me is an opportunity to appraise my education prospects and what I have already learnt. It helps me to define my appropriate scheme to meet my academic goals. In this PDP report, the focus is on learning and the impact at university, knowledge about study, its importance and future application. Final part is about lessons from plagiarism course together with what areas I need to develop more. My Learning Blueprint and Its Impact on My University Life Through previous personal development plans, I have come to realize my learning formula that has enabled my entire potential utilization. This formula is in line with Kolb’s learning proposal of learning through experience in acyclic form (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). I regularly observe all that is occurring and then have a reflection on the observation. Such contemplation fits well into my system, and I support it with interpretation and training, building up a structure into which I fit the experience. Finally in completing the cycle, I take time to practice every new skill I have learned. A slight deviation from Kolb’s cyclic learning is that while I am going through the cycle, sometimes I tend to spend extra time at some stages. Nonetheless, on building up Kolb’s proposal, Mumford and Peter Honey proposed four distinct learning styles that I rely on overcoming the challenge I face in Kolb’s proposal. These styles are the activists, the reflector, the pragmatist, and the theorists (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). A brief diagnosis reveals that: Activists learn by action or doing; pragmatists are careful on what practical; reflectors employ some thought before learning; and theorists prefer comprehension of how the new approach fits into the preceding (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). After considering the diagnosis, I have established that I am a pragmatic guy. Pragmatists are an individual who prefer practical way of solving problems and thinks in line with the application of what they are learning. They dislike instances with no practical and their only interest in theories is on condition that they work in practice. (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). The impact of my learning blueprint in the university is immense as it influences almost all the disciplines in my course. Through this vital development plan, I have realized my personality correctly and have further become acquainted with my learning style. The upshots of this personal development plan (PDP) and critical breakdown on my learning style have become an impetus to utilisation of all presented resources within the university environment. It has also enabled me to set up a monitoring procedure for the number of motivations. They help me re-evaluate myself from time-to-time so as not to lose track on achieving my goals, and monitor my advancement. I also use the procedure as a weighing machine for measuring the proficient use of available university resources. Together with this process, I have also developed an application questionnaire that serves as my assessment tool for every study. It engrosses queries like what have I learnt? What skills have I gained? What can I do differently after learning? What is the opportune time to practice new skills? Such is the picture of my reflective account that helps me to consider about my skills and thoughts as I try to build up and put novel skills into practice. Knowledge about Studying and How I Learnt It Studying is the acquisition of necessary skills one requires to study successfully and learn efficiently and is, therefore, essential set exchangeable life skills (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). Through studying, persons can develop a distinctive approach to studying and to learn suitably in a way that they can meet their individual demands. It is a journey of continuous discovery, because progressively one discovers what works for them and what does not. Consequently, studying skills are not subject or topic specific- they are general and are applicable to studying any subject. What one only needs is to understand the course, the concepts, the theories and ideas contiguous with particular topic matter. However, for one to achieve more out of studies, he or she ought to develop personalised study skills (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.).Subsequently, one needs to develop and practise personalised study skills, for this will foster one’s awareness of the research and invokes confidence. (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). I have obtained knowledge about studying through experience and self-discovery. In the various modules that I have done so far at university, I have to learnt number of concepts by studying. Some of these concepts include getting organised before studying, finding appropriate time for study, reliable sources for the study and efficient studying. Starting with being organised I have learnt that to select a suitable place for studying that is conducive for study. While contemplating of the study environment, some deliberation should also be given to organising the material to use. Since, there are increasingly large amounts of printed stuffs such as books notes, and journals, I have learnt to always try to keep all materials organised in rightfully indexed files, using an explicit labelling a system (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). I have also learnt of the need to have a timetable and how to structure for it facilitates me to review each section of my study, enables establish of the primary tasks concerned and identifies the time slots when I will engage in each task (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). Importance of Studying and Application In The Future Study is crucial to my personal educational life in a number of ways. The objective of setting up a study timetable has enabled me to identify or create standard time niches for study. This way I am able to identify when I am at most alert, free from nay distractions, and capable of concentration (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). Consequently, I have realized the significance of setting some free time within my schedule. I use such time for relaxation, interaction with peers and social activities; such exercises have enabled me to achieve a balance in my study. In terms of being organised, the importance of such consideration is that it has enabled understand the ambiance that comes with studying. Before I commence any study, I always apply the organisation concepts without overlooking central environmental issues or tools that I need – through experience I have internalized these ideas, and the befits are immeasurable. The studying concepts enable me to know what I require and where I ought to be for optimal concentration. With the studying experience and study skills, I have gained all through in the modules; their applications in my future are immense. First, skills about organisation will find application not only in my future studies but also in other endeavours I will be involved. The time management concepts will also find tremendous use in my after university life, for I will have to set up an appropriate timetable for all my activities. These concepts will be influential for my attainment of my goals. Lessons from a Plagiarism Course The main lessons I have gained from the plagiarism awareness course include what it is, what are its impacts, how it is detected and what to do avoid being a victim. Plagiarism is an act of using other authors work or paper without giving due credit. It is a serious academic offense can destroy the reputation of any academician. I also established that plagiarism is not only a tragic academic offense, but it can undermine one’s integrity if any of his work contains such violations as well. Its effects are devastating since the victims are prone to strict consequences such as expulsion and loss of career reputation. Everyone must be concerned in following the right writing principles in providing original work through giving credit to the owners if work is borrowed. Plagiarism can be detected through a number of techniques, for instance, the use of software, if one has written a borrowed quote without referencing, etc. In order for academics to avoid plagiarism they must give continual citation of writing as they proceed; paraphrase acquired work, and cite appropriately; remembering to cite their previous work. They must also remember to include a bibliography or reference page after your work indicating the sources consulted. All citations s follow guidelines on different writing styles (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.). Despite the much that I have learnt in life and from my SWOT evaluation, I have realized that I am not a good team player. It is one of my biggest weaknesses, however now and again I have realized that it is impossible to discuss or even mention this weakness to my peers. One reason that I perceive for this lack of enthusiasm for team abilities is the fact that before joining university, say my high school life, all work was done individually. Nonetheless, I have accepted that I have this challenge, and I am ready to overcome it through continual learning of group abilities. Here at university I have started doing much of my work with groups and I intend to become the best team player, and translate this weakness to greater strength. Conclusively, my learning life has been a real experience through the various development plans I have initiated from time to time. Ultimately, I will continue to review my development plans progressively to ensure that I achieve my goals. Bibliography Allen, D., 2002. Personal development planning. The handbook for economics lecturers. Tulostettu, 4, 2004. Skillsyouneed.com, n.d. Finding Time To Study | SkillsYouNeed. [Online] Available at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/study-time.html [Accessed 6 Dec. 2014]. Skillsyouneed.com, n.d. Lifelong Learning | SkillsYouNeed. [Online] Available at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/lifelong-learning.html [Accessed 6 Dec. 2014]. Skillsyouneed.com, n.d. Study Skills | SkillsYouNeed. [Online] Available at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/study-skills.html [Accessed 6 Dec. 2014]. Read More